How severe is CVE-2016-2788?

CVE-2016-2788 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2016-2788 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (81st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2016-2788?

CVE-2016-2788 primarily affects Puppet Marionette Collective. In total, 11 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2016-2788?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2016-2788 published?

CVE-2016-2788 was published on 2017-02-13 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2016-2788

CVE-2016-2788 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Puppet Marionette Collective with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-284.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
CVSS v2: 7.5
EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (81st percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-284
Affected product: Puppet Marionette Collective
Published: 2017-02-13
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

MCollective 2.7.0 and 2.8.x before 2.8.9, as used in Puppet Enterprise, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via vectors related to the mco ping command.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2016-2788?: MCollective 2.7.0 and 2.8.x before 2.8.9, as used in Puppet Enterprise, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via vectors related to the mco ping command.
How severe is CVE-2016-2788?: CVE-2016-2788 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2016-2788 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (81st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2016-2788?: CVE-2016-2788 primarily affects Puppet Marionette Collective. In total, 11 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2016-2788?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2016-2788 published?: CVE-2016-2788 was published on 2017-02-13 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://puppet.com/security/cve/cve-2016-2788

Affected products (11)

cpe:2.3:a:puppet:marionette_collective:2.7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:puppet:marionette_collective:2.8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:puppet:marionette_collective:2.8.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:puppet:marionette_collective:2.8.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:puppet:marionette_collective:2.8.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:puppet:marionette_collective:2.8.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:puppet:marionette_collective:2.8.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:puppet:marionette_collective:2.8.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:puppet:marionette_collective:2.8.7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:puppet:marionette_collective:2.8.8:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:puppet:puppet_enterprise:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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